PP AU
BONDS OF DUTY
NOTE: I made a MINOR edit in summary to CLARIFY each chapter is of EACH of one of the OTHER sisters as if they were the ones that had stepped up to bat to save Longbourn. I plan on making small edits to Elizabeth's seperate story to make it clearer there are NO red flags to that gentleman. He is NO threat to Elizabeth...though he is stricter then some might like; he is still no threat ot her. So, relax guest, the second to eldest Bennet is NOT in danger.
A Marriage of Necessity
Ch. 2
Mary brushed and braided her hair after she had put on a simple but beautiful white wedding dress. The side room of the chapel was modestly adorned with delicate lace curtains and a single vase of fresh flowers on the small wooden table. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. The soft rustle of the wind against the window panes added to the serene atmosphere, yet the nervous tension could not be denied.
The room itself was a cozy, intimate space. The wooden floorboards creaked softly underfoot, and the walls were decorated with tasteful artwork, small amount as it was—landscapes and town scenes that added a touch of comfort to any nervous bride. A full-length mirror stood in one corner, reflecting the gentle light and giving Mary a final glance at herself before the ceremony. In another corner, a small fireplace would have added warmth to the room, if it had been lit.
Mary showed no particular emotion when Jane and Elizabeth entered the side room, their eyes full of concern for their sister. Elizabeth looked around the room, taking in the simple yet beautiful decorations.
"Mary, you do not have to marry the Earl, you do not even know him and, worst of all, he is a Collins."
"Oh, good heavens, Elizabeth." Mary finally showed the exasperation she had felt for quite some time towards her second sister. "Just because he has the unfortunate business of being related to William does not make him automatically bad."
"But he is old."
"Good heavens, he is not that old." Mary rolled her eyes. "I am nineteen and he is thirty-four. Big deal. There was a bigger age gap between our grandparents, and you never fussed over that."
"That was a whole different generation."
"You can either keep harping on the subject, in one way or another, or go sit in the chapel. I am not interested in hearing the Earl attacked. He convinced William to sell the entailment to him. Plus, made it so put conditions in that , if something happens to him before we have a son and father passes away, not only do I not lose a home, but neither does mother. And Kitty can even stay. And, since Lydia woke up and did not run with George, she too will not be out of home should she decide not to marry. Which, I doubt that will be the case, but that is beside the point."
Mary's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The silence that followed was broken only by the distant sound of the organ playing in the chapel, signaling that it was nearly time.
It was not long before Mr. Bennet was walking Mary down the aisle to Lord Collins, who was indeed nothing like William Collins. He stood at the altar with an air of quiet confidence, his average height and medium build complemented by a thin beard that framed his thoughtful expression. The chapel was filled with the soft murmur of the guests and the gentle flicker of candlelight, creating an atmosphere of quiet hope.
Lord Collins, aware of his duty to the Bennet family, had taken great steps to secure their future and well-being. His demeanor showed a genuine commitment to helping the Bennet family, minus any of the arrogance that their shared relation had so openly displayed when first proposing to Elizabeth. His eyes met Mary's with understanding she had chosen to embrace the responsibilities that lay ahead. Therefore, the Earl figured the least he could do, as he took her hand, was to treat her with as much respect as a man in his position knew how. A couple years later a son was born to them and was given the name of Robert Thomas Collins.